Corset-clasp



Patented Sept. 6, I898.

No. 6l0,480.

.1. A. FITZGERALD.

CORSET CLASP.

(Application filed Sept. 17, 1897.)

(No Model.)

yjz//.f% eff Md m WM JAMES A. FITZGERALD, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CORSET-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,480, dated September 6, 1898. Application filed September1'7, 1897. Serial No. 651,989. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES A FITZGERALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corset-Clasps, of which the following, with the acccompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in corset clasps or fastenings.

The invention has for its object the construction of a clasp or fastening for corsets in the use of which the corset may have a limited adjustment without removal from the person or releasing the lacing.

To this end the invention consists in the novel features of construction and in the combinations of the parts, all as more fully hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan View of a pair of corset stays or steels provided with my improved clasp. Fig. 2 is an enlarged View of one of the clasps and shows the manner in which same is secured to the stay. Fig. 3 is an edge view of Fig. 2.

A 13 represent the two members of a corset steel or stay, the member B being provided with the usual headed pins 6, designed to engage with the clasps.

O represents my improved clasps, there being any desired number of them employed. These clasps are struck out of suitable sheet metal. Each is provided with a base portion D, having a slot (1 in the direction of its length, and it is secured to the member A by means of headed pins or studs a in such manner that the clasp may have a limited movement in the longitudinal direction of the steel. To prevent the studs a wearing through the corset-covering, I rigidly secure a metallic strip E to the member A, such strip being bridged over the base of each clasp, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The body of the clasp has formed in it a curved slot 0, such slot being enlarged near its front end, as shown in Fig. 2, in order that it may readily receive the head of the stud b; The inner end of the slot 0 terminates ili substantially a return-bend, the two ends of such slot forming stops for the studs 1).

Ordinarily after a corset has been adjusted upon the person if it is desired to have relief by a slight enlargement of the corset it can only be had by slacking the lacing, and as this is always at the back it is very inconvenient to get at. A corset provided with my improved clasp or fastening will be found easily and quickly manipulated. The corset is first adjusted to the person with the studs 1) engaging'the stop formed by the returnbend of the slot 0. If for any reason the wearer desires to loosen the corset slightly, she has simply to release the studs 1) and allow them to slide to the opposite or outer end of the slot, thereby making the corset about one-half inch larger and gaining the relief desired. As the clasp is changed from the outer to the inner stop the clasps slide up or down upon the member A without changing the relative positions of the members AB and without disturbing the lacing, and the wearer does not have to disrobe in order the effect the change.

IVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a corset clasp or fastening, the combination of a pair of corset steels or stays, one of which is provided, at proper intervals, with headed studs 6, and the companion steel, provided with plates 0, slidingly secured upon the member A, each plate being provided with a curved slot 0, forming two stops upon different planes for engagement with its respective stud b, in the manner and for the purpose, substantially as described.

2. In a corset clasp or fastening, the combination of a pair of corset steels or stays, A, B, the latter being provided at proper intervals, with the headed studs 1), plates 0, slidingly secured upon the stay A, each plate being provided with a curved slot 0, forming two stops for engagement with its respective stud Z), and a covering-strip E, rigidly secured to the stay A, and bridged over the bases of the clasps or plates 0, the parts being constructed, arranged and operating in the manner and for the purpose, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature,

in presence of two witnesses, this 3d day of July, 1897.

JAMES A. FITZGERALD.

Witnesses:

H. SPRAGUE, S. W. PARSONS. 

